Today, U.S. Rep. Ed Perlmutter released the following statement regarding the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) pilot program to screen airport employees for prohibited items at Denver International Airport (DIA).
“Employee screening is critical to the safety and security of our traveling public. While the TSA must conduct this screening so employees’ jobs are not significantly impacted, we cannot afford to let even one employee slip through the cracks who might threaten our security. Recently I met with officials from TSA and recommended they work closely with the airport to make this program succeed. I hope the employee screening plan at DIA will be the model of efficiency and strengthen our security.”
The TSA pilot program at DIA will feature enhanced employee screening, including additional random screenings, behavior detection programs, employee security awareness training, deployment of portable screening equipment and use of biometric access control system already in place.
The TSA established this pilot program following a 2007 Bureau of Alcohol Tobacco and Firearms investigation that found baggage handlers at Orlando International Airport smuggled guns and drugs onto commercial airlines. The investigation found this was a coordinated effort by some employees to use their access to secure areas to transport and sell drugs and weapons while bypassing security screening.
Perlmutter stated, “I am shocked at these incidents from Orlando and the threat to our aviation security from these employees. We must close this security gap to protect our flying public. Denver International Airport ’s workers are world class, and the overwhelming majority of them are good, law abiding employees. The successful employee screening program at Miami International Airport shows security can be achieved without negatively impacting airport operations.”
After six months of the pilot program, TSA will report to Congress about the effectiveness and impact of employee screening.
